Nanta: Ngiling Bidai practice should be upheld
KAPIT: The ‘Ngiling Bidai’ is part of the Dayak culture that should be practised and upheld, says Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi.
As such, the Dayaks should make time to observe and celebrate it because apart from being their culture, it provides an avenue for them to come together, share ideas and have a good time with one another, he told some 400 guests attending the ‘ Majlis Ngiling Bidai Gawai Dayak 2017’ at Sri Baleh Hall here recently, hosted by Sarawak Dayak National Union (SDNU) Kapit branch.
“When we organise this ( Ngiling Bidai), we must not just think of enjoyment but also things that benefit us. We can brainstorm on some issues that affect us,” he said.
In his speech earlier, SDNU Kapit chairman Joseph Jinggut talked about the ‘ Pulau Galau’ (forest reserves) and Pemakai Menoa’ (territorial / communal domain).
In this respect, Nanta called on SDNU Kapit to hold a special forum or a brainstorming session to discuss issues over their land.
“The time is right since the state government is in the middle of finding facts. Deputy Chief
When we organise this (Ngiling Bidai), we must not just think of enjoyment but also things that benefit us. We can brainstorm on some issues that affect us.
Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas is entrusted with handling the issues of the native land,” he pointed out.
On politics, Nanta was glad to declare that all the Barisan Nasional (BN) components parties here had agreed that they were one in the BN family and would support one another in bringing development to Kapit.
“As ‘ wakil rakyat’ ( elected representatives), we are dutybound to develop Kapit in order to catch up with other areas that have been or are being developed,” he added.
On the recent visits by Seputih DAP Teresa Kok of the DAP to Katibas, Song and Kapit, Nanta said he was disappointed that after staying only one or two days at a couple of longhouses there, she had the audacity to say the government had not been looking after the people well, even to the extent of criticising the ‘ wakil rakyat’ for doing nothing to help the people.
Nanta particularly pointed to her criticism of Kapit- SongKanowit road as being in a deplorable condition, without caring to know that the road had yet to reach completion.
“Upon completion, that road is of R3 Standard – a very good road,” he stressed.
Later, Nanta announced government grants of RM10,000 each for SDNU, Orang Ulu National Association (Ouna) and Sarawak Dayak Iban Association (Sadia).
On his part, Bukit Goram assemblyman Jefferson Jamit Unyat announced government grants of RM 10,000 for Ouna, RM5,000 for Ouna Women’s Section and RM5,000 for SDNU for study incentives.
Among those attending the ceremony were political secretary to chief minister Tapah Ata, Nanta’s senior private secretary Sylvester Insor Lingan, Nanta’s Special Affairs officer Ambrose Abong Bugek, event organising chairman Kareno Lampong, Sarawak Dayak Graduates Association Kapit chairman Layang Ugek, local heads of departments and community leaders.
Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi, Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development